05 December 2008

HUNDREDS of athletes and road running enthusiasts from Ekurhuleni and the Gauteng region are expected to put on their running shoes to take part in the annual Ekurhuleni Half Marathon and 10km road race this Sunday at the Katlehong Sports Complex at 7am.

The race is organized by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in conjunction with the Katlehong Athletics Development Forum - a body representing various athletics clubs in Katlehong and the 1000km Promotion (Pty) Ltd.

Since its inception in 2002 with only 392 participants the race has grown in leaps and bounds attracting runners from all walks of life with a record 1182 people taking part last year. The race is the first ever half marathon to be hosted in one of the Ekurhuleni townships. It is annually hosted at the Katlehong Sports Complex but is open to all people including walkers.

“When the annual event was started the main aim of this race was to symbolically bring the community back to sport and to organize the race as part of our continuous development programme. We are happy to see that the marathon is actually having an appeal to people across various walks of life and it is growing from strength to strength every year,” explains council spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

There are various ways to enter the half marathon. Pre-entries for the 21.1km race cost R25 while R15 is payable for the 10km race. Entries on the day of the event will cost an extra R5 for both distances and registration for this opens at 05:00 on the day. Participation for grandmasters is for free subject to proof of age being submitted. All temporary licenses for the 10km race are sponsored by the 100km Promotions company while temporary licenses for the 21.1km race will be on sale for R20.

There are outstanding spot prizes and giveaways including double tickets to any South African destination and weekend breakaways to be won. T-shirts will be given to the first 500 entries for the 21.1km race and caps for the first 500 10km runners. Both runners in the two categories will automatically qualify for the luck draw prizes which will be handed out at the prize giving for the 21.1km race at 10am. Food and refreshment will be on sale at the finishing line on the day.

The race will commence at 7:00 at the sports complex along Masakhane Road. For more information interested parties can contact Mathapelo Morema 083 986 6376, Piter Lotter 083 287 0492 and Benjamin Maphanga 073 982 4376.

Source: Ekurhuleni.
www.ekurhuleni.com